Mmmmmm what to do?

Evening all!

Wondering if I can pick some brains please?

I've got 110,000 flying club miles to my name and my girlfriend and I are looking to go away for about 4 or 5 nights in late April next year. We both enjoy shopping and the sun if possible at the same time!

I was thinking Dubai and she was thinking NY. She prefers the idea of NY because of the fear of not being able to be affectionate in public in Dubai as we aren't married.

Any thoughts or alternative suggestions?

Cheers,

Ben

Hi there,
Having been to both Dubai and New York I would have to say if I was going just for the shopping it would have to be New York, we were in Dubai in August and although the shopping malls are amazing the prices were not most things were no expensive than here. With New York if the $/£ exchange rate is good you can really find so bargains, but New York does not come with the warm sun as Dubai does in April.
Hope this is some help

NYC may be the better bet as there are more daily flights than the single DXB so more availabilty of reward seats/ using miles to upgrade.

New York every time

NY is lovely in April and can provide some lovely warm weather. Spring will be sprung and Central Park will look lovely.

NY gets my vote.

I'd say NY too. I went in April 2001 and was there for five days. It wasn't scorching hot by any stretch of the imagination but it was perfectly comfortable, bright and sunny. We walked around Central Park in just tee shirt and jeans although we were lucky with the weather.

[honey lamb]

NY definitely. While sun is guaranteed in Dubai there really aren't the bargains you can get in NYC. Go to the visitors desk in places like Macy's and Bloomingdales and get their discount vouchers as well as places like Century 21. Spring is also lovely in NY at that time of the year

NY for me too .
DL

NY - if that is the choice!

But... what about Hong Kong, LA, or (not so sunny) SF or Chicago? Depends how you want to use your miles I suppose.

Whatever 'she' wants is usually the best option!

What about Miami - much better weather, basically access to the same stores as New York? I too would avoid Dubai, horrid place IMO and whilst it has a bizarre reputation for shopping, as others have said, it is not a bargain.

deffo new york. good shopping and also some bargains to be found at out of town malls. as for the sun, if you want to sunbathe then go to Dubai

Love both - Dubai is culturally more interesting as it is so 'different' if you want to see more landmarks rather than just shop, but NY is great for the shopping (just be prepared to walk, and walk and walk)!

NYC.

Try and get the VS18 or VS26 daylight flights back home too, as they really help with jetlag. The overnight eastbound flights are much too short for a proper sleep.

Well Ben I would definitely pick NYC over Dubai any day.. NYC is great for the shopping, having fun in the myriad of bars/clubs/tourist attractions and the spring weather is very good by UK standards, so fingers crossed for sun.

Dubai is really expensive for what it is - you might as well stay in the UK and spend you time beneath a sun lamp ordering from amazon, if it is shopping and sun you are looking for.

Being affectionate in public?!? errr thinking back, they will not know if you are married or not and the touristy locales are not policed to this rule. A friend of mine went with his girlfriend and they were def not persecuted for not being married, some of the stuff he says they got up to in public places would even be criminal in most countries :w - the real reason on the NYC suggestion, I fear, may be the shopping ii)

As an alternative I would say that for only 4 or 5 nights you may wish to avoid going all the way over to Hong Kong or Tokyo - although April is an awesome time to visit that side of the world, especially Japan, you could get some shopping done too . Maybe a full week?

8D

I’ve been to NYC once. I’m glad I’ve been but found it dirty and claustrophobic (just like many large cities to be honest). I’ve certainly no desire to go back. So, as another suggestion: have you thought about Boston? I went for the first time just before last Christmas (so I can’t comment on the climate in Spring) and I loved it: I could way lyrical about the place for hours!

In summary though, I could not believe how clean it was – not so much as a cigarette end on the pavements, there is some stunning architecture and, of course, you don’t have to put up with (sweeping generalisation alert) New Yorkers’ attitude problems…

Shopping in Boston is excellent – good size Macy’s downtown, the Prudential Centre(er) and all the boutique shops in Newbury Street. Oh, and then there’s Quincy Market which is gorgeous. Additionally, there's an excellent outlet mall at Wrentham (most hotels can arrange a coach pick up and drop off for you).

Then there are the restaurants and bars – I think I ate my bodyweight (which not as inconsiderable as perhaps it should be ) in Oysters and Lobster last year! I particularly recommend Atlantic Fish near the Prudential Centre.

Lots of touristy things to do and see too of course including Havard, MIT, the Freedom Trail, the aquarium and the Old State House. I bet Boston Common would be stunning in April. Anyway, just a suggestion.

Paul

I’ve been to NYC once. I’m glad I’ve been but found it dirty and claustrophobic (just like many large cities to be honest). I’ve certainly no desire to go back. So, as another suggestion: have you thought about Boston?

I can't say I understand your reluctance to go back to NYC, and the single most unpleasant attitude I've ever been on the receiving end of was in Boston, but I do agree about Boston's attractiveness as a place to visit. Same could be said for Chicago too.

The problem is likely to be that Reward availability will be greater on the NYC route (6 flights per day) than on the Boston route (1 flight per day).

Paul

I’ve been to NYC once. I’m glad I’ve been but found it dirty and claustrophobic (just like many large cities to be honest). I’ve certainly no desire to go back. So, as another suggestion: have you thought about Boston?

I agree with this. I find NYC increasingly dirty (in fact now I sometimes don't stay on Manhattan :0 ). I never much liked Boston, but nowadays I find it a lovely alternative city to visit.

Chicago is even better, in my view, but it would be quite a bit cooler there.

Whatever the time of year I would always go for New York ahead of Dubai, absolutely no contest IMHO

Boston, for romance.

If you're willing to stretch it a bit, then hong kong is definitely do-able for a 5 night break. Fantastic place to visit, one of the worlds mega-cites, real culture, shopping, night life, and it does have some beaches believe it or not.

What about Miami - much better weather, basically access to the same stores as New York? I too would avoid Dubai, horrid place IMO and whilst it has a bizarre reputation for shopping, as others have said, it is not a bargain.

Miami has it all- great weather, beaches, shopping ( big malls like Aventura and a huge outlet at Sawgrass Mills), nightlife and other attractions like the Keys all easily accessible. The only fly in the ointment is MIA itself ( cesspit of the world).
DL

Washington DC is also an option - museums, galleries and shopping as well - some nice boutiques in Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.

April will have the cherry blossom festival as well